Dog Scouts of America Troop 119 donated 10 pet oxygen mask kits to the Richardson Fire Department on Monday. The masks come in three sizes to fit large and small dogs and cats and are used to keep pets from inhaling dangerous smoke. Previously firefighters had used Styrofoam cups or a mask made for humans to deliver the oxygen to the pet.

Members of Troop 119 visited Fire Station No. 1 Monday to help deliver the masks and demonstrate how to use them. Firefighters had an opportunity to work with a golden retriever to practice fitting the masks, which they plan to carry on all RFD ambulances.

The masks are the same type many veterinarians use when performing surgeries and are designed to fit smugly around the muzzle. Fort Worth-based Dog Scouts of America Troop 119 has made it their mission to provide pet oxygen masks to every fire department in the Metroplex.

Dog Scouts of America is a non-profit organization dedicated to using education, positive reward-based training and community service to help better the lives of dogs and people. Troop 119 has members from across the Metroplex, including Richardson, and is the largest troop in the nation.